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Let's Talk About Sex

Let's Talk About Sex

Yesterday afternoon, I went to the Museum of Sex. Ok, I will briefly pause so you can get your giggling out of the way…ready? The entrance to the museum looks like a hip novelty store, and En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go” was blasting from the sound system. The only difference? Instead of comic books, PEZ dispensers and other novelty items on display, tables and shelves are filled with almost any and every erotic pleasure you can think of: whips, feathers, vibrators, literotica (for those Fifty Shades of Grey fans out there), the list goes on and on.

The ticket booth is towards the back of the store and a sign warns patrons to not “touch, lick, stroke or mount the exhibits.” Good to know. Besides the permanent collection, two exhibits are currently on display: Universe of Desire and F*CK ART. I started my journey with Universe of Desire, an exhibition that examines human desire as seen through the lens of digital behavior. This was really fascinating. I mean, think about it—with the advent of the Internet, people are more emboldened to say what they want and do what they want because they feel protected by a blanket of anonymity. Of course this translates to sexually explicit behaviors, including streaming, downloads, Google searches and sexting. One highlight? A large scroll sign, with electric blue neon lettering, which displays popular search engine terms for erotic content.

The second exhibit, F*CK ART, is a kaleidoscope of color executed by a group of 20 street artists. The exhibit showcases work that pushes the boundaries of our relationship to sexuality in a public space. Most works show the naked form and/or various sexual acts. The permanent collection is also worth a gander, with historical sexual aids and photographs, sex dolls and erotic drawings by Pablo Picasso and Keith Haring on display. The museum also has a bar in the basement, Oralfix, with some pretty interesting cocktail names.